Leading local Green politicians Martin Allen and Malcom Victory have brought a motion to Malvern Hills District Council backing Labours introduction of Inheritance tax on farmers. The motion is in line with Green Party Policy, which calls for taxing of farmers. Emily O’Brien, Green Party Food, Agricultural and Rural Welfare Spokesperson, issues a press release stating “Farmers are feeling abandoned but taxing wealth is right.”
Cllrs Allen and Victory call for the tax to be introduced for farms valued at over £5m. The Current Labour plans are for farms over £2m (based on tax rules for couples) to be subject to 20% inheritance tax.
Local rural campaigner, Mel Fordington, said “Here we see the two faces of the Greens, who pretend to be pro farming, but who are working hand in hand with Labour to destroy our rural way of life. The Greens have consistently supported Labour on anti-farming policies.
The Greens also want to introduce a wealth tax on the rich, taxing people on the value of their homes and land, which would doubly hit the farming community”
On 4th December 2024 the Conservatives introduced a bill at parliament to stop the Inheritance tax rise, but the motion was opposed by Green MP’s. The following day a vote in the London Assembly to protect farmers from Inheritance tax was voted down with the Green’s backing Labour.
Local MHDC Conservative Leader Jeremy Owenson said “Councillors Allen and Victory both represent rural Wards, but insist on promoting their Wealth Tax agenda which is destroying British farmers. I hope that rural voters recognise the attack the Greens represent on the agricultural way of life, and I hope my fellow Councillors throw this motion out.”